Telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad

At Russia’s initiative,
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad.

March 14, 2016

20:40

The two presidents
discussed the implementation of the joint statement by Russia and the United
States, in their capacity as co-chairs of the International Syria Support
Group, on cessation of hostilities in Syria. They share the view that the ceasefire has made possible a dramatic reduction in the bloodshed in the country and improved the humanitarian situation. It has also made it possible
to put in place conditions for starting a peace process under UN aegis.

The two leaders noted that
the operations conducted by Russia’s Aerospace Forces have brought about a real
turnabout in the fight against the terrorists in Syria, throwing their
infrastructure into disarray and causing them substantial damage.

In this context, Mr Putin
said that Russia’s Armed Forces have fulfilled their main mission in Syria and a timetable for the withdrawal of the Aerospace Forces’ main air grouping has
been agreed. Russia will maintain an aviation support centre in Syria in order
to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.

The President of Syria
noted the professionalism, courage and heroism of the Russian service personnel
who took part in the military operations, and expressed his profound gratitude
to Russia for providing such substantial help in fighting terrorism and providing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.

Mr al-Assadal-Assad BasharPresident of Syria said that he is ready to help organise
a political settlement in the country as soon as possible. The two presidents
expressed the hope that the full-format talks between Syrian Government
officials and opposition representatives under UN aegis in Geneva will produce
concrete results.